A donation of oxygen masks for pets to the Barrie Fire and Emergency Service might just be the start of a new thing for a local club.
“Several years ago I saw another club… bought a kit for their local fire departments,” says Carol Brech, show chair of the Barrie Kennel and Obedience Club. “I thought what a great idea if clubs could be able to do this and I brought it to the members.”
The club, which has members from across Simcoe County, did some fundraising through some of its regular events and were able to buy five pet-specific oxygen masks that they then presented in the spring.
Barrie Fire Chief Kevin White says the donation of five pet-friendly masks will be on the service’s front-end apparatuses, meaning all eight of its fire trucks that operate out of its six stations will be equipped.
The masks are designed to fit the snouts of dogs and other small pets, allowing firefighters to deliver oxygen after they’ve been subject to smoke inhalation, operating much the same way as firefighters would use masks designed for human faces.
“We consider the pets to be the same as every member of the family and are part of rescue efforts in case of fire or other emergencies," says White.
The hope now, adds Brech from the local kennel club, is to get other local departments equipped to help save the lives of pets during emergencies.
“The club’s intent now is to do fundraising locally to hopefully raise enough to do all the various areas in Simcoe County,” she adds.
At its annual dog show at the Essa Agriplex Brech during the Civic long weekend, organizers lay out a firefighter’s helmet where families of the 1,000-plus participating dogs could throw in contributions.
The show – one of the club’s main events – was also an opportunity for members to celebrate 80 years since the creation of the local club in 1946. The year after its creation the club held its first show which included the involvement of 200 dogs.
The club, with its current membership of 25, still does the shows, which have increased in size. The club also performs dog conformation in which judges evaluate a dog’s characteristics to determine how closely a purebred dog matches its written breed standard.
There are, of course, handling classes for puppies and show preparation classes for dogs that are not familiar with the process of showing in an official ring.
Other club activities include performance and obedience and there also dog rallies as well as some dock diving – all of which are conducted by the members.
Club meetings often feature speakers or seminars. The club is currently looking connecting with a dental hygienist so it can start a clinic for cleaning dogs’ teeth.
Brech became involved in labradors with her husband 40 years ago. They became quite involved and started breeding the dogs, producing some of country’s top labs.
“About 11 years ago I decided I should join my all-breed club, since I go to their shows every year,” she explains. “I am going on my seventh year of being show chair person.”
She is no longer as involved in breeding, but she continues to work with the club.
The club also often partners with other organizations, raising money for food banks and SPCAs in the area. They added pet-specific oxygen masks to their efforts this year.
“The masks are important because our pets are part of our family… the ones for humans are not the same for animals,” she says.